Pat is still the light of my life. Not a day is gone when I do not think of him - I still feel he is with me, always. I love him so and he knows it - can't wait to lie next to him - in our joint grave )):-
He is a great guy, always has been and will be -even though he is not here with me now on this world. No one can top him; so thoughtful not only to me but with ALL. {widow of Pat}

A salute this Veteran's Day, 2016, to my younger brother SGT Patrick Richards USMC from his older brother SSG Bill Richards US Army.
This evening I am watching the remake of the movie "Independence Day. Pat and I watched the original version of Independence Day in 1996 in Barstow, CA at a movie theater.
Love Bill & John

A salute this Veteran's Day, 2016, to my younger brother SGT Patrick Richards USMC from his older brother SSG Bill Richards US Army.
This evening I am watching the remake of the movie "Independence Day. Pat and I watched the original version of Independence Day in 1996 in Barstow, CA at a movie theater.
Love Bill & John

Finally last month, Pat came into my dream so vividly......
He was waving to me at the train station and looking mighty happy.
I guess he wants me not to worry about him as he is in a better place- no pain but happy with his mom and his other brother in heaven. I guess he wanted to let me know that he is ok and that he would be waiting for me when my time comes.......since he never bothered to say goodbye before leaving this earthly world.....down here....
He will be gone for almost a year now - in a couple of days.....the day after THANKSGIVING will be his anniversary date........so hard NOT to think about him.....everything, everyday, I see things that remind me of him.....MISS him so......................forever.........MUCH......

Pat's birthday is coming up soon and he would have been 61 and I miss him SO VERY MUCH ! Visited his grave the other day and the engravings are in on the headstone as well as in the cemetery directory. Just added 2 more photos for those who wish to check on him.

Silly me! I believe in reading palms & fung shui etc.. I read Pat's face features - pretty blue eyes, long ear loops... those are features for men who lived up to at least 100 years old. Look at Regan's ear loop, or George Burns' - they are long..... There was any old Chinese saying that says ' every 10 bald headed men, 9 are rich, only one is poor'...so they say.........I knew his health was going down hill but he was waiting for his older brother John to chat about his childhood........he was looking forward to find out all those relatives that he could not remember since he was too young then........he knew John was coming out to see him in the hospital - I told him before I left for the airport. But, he just left me! He left without saying anything to his love ones! He knew best because he knew I would not know how to deal with it when I see him taking his last breath. I'm a whimp! I cannot stand pain. I remember each time he got a shot or when the nurse had to draw his blood, I always leave the room. I just cannot handle "needles"!
I was wrong when I believe he could live up to at least 99 years old! I was wrong when we planned our retirements together! I was wrong when I calculate that he would at least would stay & live for another 3 months to straighten out all those THOUSAND things he had planned to do. I was not ready for his departure ! Was I ever ready ? I guess Pat knew best.........I would never be ready for his departure.........so long sweetheart........love ..........always...............we shall meet again........

Pat's burial ceremony was on Friday, December 13, 2013 with military honors performed by the US Marine Corps. Friends and families came from Salt Lake City, Tulare, Bakersfield, Scotts Valley, Granite Bay, Fair Oaks & SSF. His bingo BIG sister Lorraine & Dave B. {Pat's 25+ years' old friendship buddy} in addition to Donny, Carl, Pat's 2 living older brothers and most of my family members all came to attend this memorial service which was his final wish and fulfilled. I was awarded with the US flag for his military service but I have transferred 'this' flag to his BIG brother Bill for keepsake per my late husband's wish. Pat is in eternal peace now and he was sent off with much love and memories on this very memorable service just for him on this special day - "a few good man', "the proud-the Marine", "oorah", "Sempre Fi"..... How could I ask for more?

We are together here, on this unluckiest of days, Friday the 13th, 2013, to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Patrick Richards. Other people have spoken at his funeral, but Pat always knew I was a writer, so to honor him my eulogy will be in written down.
Pat never mentioned my writing his eulogy. He did not think he was going to die so soon, none of us did, and his passing came as quickly and with as much force as the cancer that took him.
Pat had a strong will to live, and we expected him to keep going, to see his brother John and reminisce about his childhood, and to celebrate the coming of the New Year. I expected him to gather his strength for one more bingo game, one more new release Redbox movie, and of course, one final Christmas.
I figured I’d be delivering a special Christmas gift in a few weeks; sadly that never came.
In all the years that I’ve known him, he loved two things: movies and bingo. I can still recall the long hours he spent at our local bingo hall trying to win that day’s jackpot, and if he won, tipping those who he thought brought him luck.
He never dared to believe that he won by his own accord, his own luck, and praised those around him for calling out the winning numbers.
As far as movies go, he was an equal opportunity watcher, and in his final days, he fittingly chose comedies to elevate some of the tension and pain he was going through.
There was a lot of talk about Pat being a Marine, and though I asked him about his military service years ago, he chose to remain humble about it. He stated that he was a Marine, and left it at that. I never saw his old uniform, or a sword, or even a hat for that matter, but I knew up until the very end that he carried the Marine spirit of toughness within him all his life. As my mother said at the funeral, he was strong when it came to his pain tolerance, and all the nurses admired him for that.
My mother has consistently said, “there’s never enough time,” and in matters of the heart, this will always ring true. Even if he lived until 100 years old, there would never be enough minutes in a day or months in year to share stories or live new adventures. Such is the fleeting nature of time here on Earth, and the tragedy of being a mere mortal.
In his last few months Pat accepted a Catholic priest’s blessing, and I think came to believe in God. I think this came him peace in knowing that this is not the end, but merely a bus stop in life, since the soul continues to travel on into eternity.
May Pat rest in peace with all his military honors and fun Earthly memories.

Dear Brother Pat,
I will miss you so much. I will miss our trips to Las Vegas and Wendover. Also, your visits to Salt Lake
I remember the good times growing up in scouting and fishing.
I would like to take this opportunity thank Julie & Pat for all you have done for me .
It's not easy to be without my little brother. I will love you forever.
Love,
John Richards

With the many visits with him to the OR & IC @ various hospitals, all the nurses loved him because he was always their best patient - he seldom complained and required least maintenance (even when he was in the ICU or emergency room). He never lost his toughness as a Marine - once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine !!! 2 days before his passing, during our chit-chat @ his bed side, without any intention, I asked him who was his favorite nurse and he said "YOU ARE MY FAVORITE NURSE! No one will ever come close". I was always jealous of his other nurses but upon hearing that, I have no regret but claim the fame as his favorite nurse - an everlasting honorary throne.

I love you Uncle Pat, I will miss our long talks! I already miss you more than words can say, but I'm so glad your not suffering anymore. I was so blessed to have you as my uncle and looked forward to your yearly visits to Utah.